Soft projectile launcher

ABSTRACT

A soft projectile launcher includes a launching tube including a power channel, a projectile loading channel, and a projectile exit channel connected in sequence, a projectile entry tube including a projectile entry channel connected to the projectile loading channel and configured to provide a soft projectile to the projectile loading channel, and a power assembly connected to a free end of the power channel and configured to provide power for launching the soft projectile. At least a part of at least one of the projectile entry channel, the projectile loading channel, or the projectile exit channel includes an elliptical channel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/CN2018/112726, filed Oct. 30, 2018, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201821430972.4, filed Aug. 30, 2018, the entire contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of competitive equipment and, in particularly, to a soft projectile launcher.

BACKGROUND

Nowadays, projectile launchers are mainly used for games and training, and the projectiles used are generally hard projectiles, such as BB projectiles or steel ball projectiles, which have great lethality under the action of the launcher, and cause great danger to people or animals. In some scenarios, such as during competitions, the risk of injury to people or animals caused by the launcher will increase if hard projectiles are used. The use of soft projectiles is an ideal choice.

However, the current launcher normally launches the wrongly loaded hard projectiles. For this reason, there is a need to propose a launcher with safety protection, ensuring normal launching of soft projectiles while preventing hard projectiles from being launched, to avoid the hard projectiles causing injury to people or animals.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the disclosure, there is provided a soft projectile launcher including a launching tube, a projectile entry tube, and a power assembly. The launching tube includes a power channel, a projectile loading channel, and a projectile exit channel connected in sequence. The projectile entry tube includes a projectile entry channel connected to the projectile loading channel and configured to provide a soft projectile to the projectile loading channel. The power assembly connected to a free end of the power channel and configured to provide power for launching the soft projectile. At least a part of at least one of the projectile entry channel, the projectile loading channel, or the projectile exit channel includes an elliptical channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a soft projectile launcher consistent with embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the launcher in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of part of the structure in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the part in FIG. 3.

Main reference numbers: Launch tube 10; Power section 11; Projectile loading section 12; Projectile exit section 13; First projectile exit tube 131; Second projectile exit tube 132; Projectile entry tube 20; Power assembly 30; Compression chamber 31; Tube wall 311; Compression piston 32; Compression spring 33; Extension tube 34; Intake clearance 341; Projectile loading mechanism 40; Refill 41; Projectile inlet 411; Dial 42; Projectile moving gap 421; Pusher 422; Magazine 50; Projectile accommodation space 51; Housing 60.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some rather than all of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Other embodiments conceived by those having ordinary skills in the art on the basis of the described embodiments without inventive efforts should fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same or similar meaning as generally understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The terms “first” and “second,” etc. are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature described with “first” or “second” may include at least one such feature explicitly or implicitly. In addition, the technical solutions between the various embodiments can be combined with each other, as long as the technical solutions do not conflict with each other.

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of the present disclosure.

Hard projectiles, such as BB projectiles or steel ball projectiles, have great lethality under the action of the launcher, and cause great danger to people or animals. To prevent the launcher from accidentally launching hard BB projectiles or steel ball projectiles, a soft projectile launcher with safety protection is proposed in the present disclosure, ensuring normal launching of soft projectiles while preventing hard projectiles from being launched normally, to reduce the risk of greater injury caused by the misuse of the hard projectile.

The main technical solution in the disclosure is a soft projectile launcher including a launching tube, a projectile entry tube, and a power assembly. The launching tube includes a power channel, a projectile loading channel, and a projectile exit channel that are connected in sequence.

The power assembly is connected to the free end of the power channel to provide power for launching the soft projectile.

The projectile entry tube includes a projectile entry channel, and is connected to the projectile loading channel to provide the soft projectile for the projectile loading channel.

At least a part of the projectile entry channel, the projectile loading channel, and/or the projectile exit channel is an elliptical channel.

In the technical solution of the present disclosure, at least a part of the projectile entry channel, the loading channel, and/or the projectile exit channel is configured as an elliptical channel to ensure that the soft projectile is launched normally, and to prevent the hard projectile from being launched normally. In the present disclosure, a soft projectile refers to a projectile that can be elastically deformed, such as a water-absorbing projectile, a soft plastic projectile, or a projectile made of another soft material.

FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a soft projectile launcher consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the launcher in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of part of the structure in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the part in FIG. 3.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, the soft projectile launcher includes a launch tube 10, a projectile entry tube 20, and a power assembly 30. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the soft projectile launcher further includes a housing 60. The housing 60 is used to mount the launch tube 10, the projectile entry tube 20, and the power assembly 30.

The launch tube 10 includes a power section 11, a projectile loading section 12, and a projectile exit section 13 provided in sequence. The inside of the power section 11 is a power channel, the inside of the projectile loading section 12 is a projectile loading channel, and the inside of the projectile exit section 13 is a projectile exit channel. The power channel, the projectile loading channel, and the projectile exit channel are connected in sequence, arranged in a straight line and coaxially. At least a part of the projectile loading channel and/or the projectile exit channel is an elliptical channel.

In some embodiments, the power channel, the projectile loading channel, and the projectile exit channel are sequentially connected, which can be partially arranged non-coaxially. The power assembly 30 is connected to the power channel to launch the soft projectile in the projectile loading channel along the projectile exit channel. For example, the projectile loading channel is arranged coaxially with the projectile exit channel, but is arranged non-coaxially with the power channel.

In some embodiments, the power channel is arranged non-coaxially with the projectile loading channel, and the power assembly 30 is connected to the power channel to launch the soft projectile in the projectile loading channel along the projectile exit channel.

A part or all of the projectile loading channel and/or the projectile exit channel may be an elliptical channel.

In a manufacturing process, the power section 11, the projectile loading section 12, and the projectile exit section 13 can be formed as an integral part and can be casted in a mold to form the launch tube 10. In some other embodiments, the power section 11, the projectile loading section 12, and the projectile exit section 13 can be separate parts and be connected to form the launch tube 10.

The projectile entry tube 20 includes a projectile entry channel, which is connected to the projectile loading channel to provide the soft projectile for the projectile loading channel. In some embodiments, the inside of the projectile entry tube 20 is the projectile entry channel. The projectile entry tube 20 and the launch tube 10 are arranged perpendicular to each other, and the projectile entry channel and the projectile loading channel are arranged perpendicular to each other. In some embodiments, the projectile entry channel and the projectile loading channel may be not perpendicular to each other, and the projectile entry channel is configured to load the soft projectile into the projectile loading channel. In a manufacturing process, the projectile entry tube 20, the power section 11, the projectile loading section 12, and the projectile exit section 13 can be formed as an integral part and can be casted in a mold to form a T-shaped structure. In some other embodiments, the projectile entry tube 20, the power section 11, the projectile loading section 12, and the projectile exit section 13 can be separate parts and be connected to form a T-shaped structure.

In the present disclosure, the projectile entry channel, the projectile loading channel, or the projectile exit channel can be configured to only allow a single soft projectile to pass through, and not allow two or more soft projectiles to pass through side by side.

When the soft projectile enters the projectile loading channel via the projectile entry channel, the soft projectile may be elastically deformed in the projectile loading channel or the projectile exit channel, especially in the elliptical channel, to get stuck in the channel and close contacted to the wall of the channel. The power assembly 30 provides power acting on the soft projectile in the channel to launch the soft projectile smoothly along the projectile exit channel, thereby implementing the launching process.

In the present disclosure, the soft projectile in the projectile loading channel is launched along the projectile exit channel by the power assembly 30. To ensure that the soft projectile in the projectile loading channel can be smoothly launched along the projectile exit channel, the projectile loading channel and the projectile exit channel are smoothly connected and arranged in a straight line and coaxially, or the projectile loading channel and the projectile exit channel are arranged in a smooth curve. The projectile loading channel and the projectile exit channel are smoothly connected to reduce the resistance at the boundary between the two, thereby ensuring that the soft projectile is launched while fully utilizing the power from the power assembly 30 to achieve a better launch effect.

In the present disclosure, the power assembly 30 is used to provide power to launch the soft projectile in the projectile loading channel.

In some embodiments, the power assembly 30 includes a compression chamber 31 and a compression piston 32. The compression piston 32 moves along the inside of the compression chamber 31, and is connected to the inner wall of the compression chamber 31 in an airtight and sliding fit. The compression chamber 31 is enclosed by a tube wall 311, and the tube wall 311 is mounted on the housing 60. One end of the compression chamber 31 opposite to the compression piston 32 is airtightly connected to the power channel to provide compressed air for the power channel.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, one end of the compression piston 32 is connected to the housing 60 via a compression spring 33. The spring force of the compression spring 33 acts on the compression piston 32, and the compression piston 32 rapidly moves along the inside of the compression chamber 31. The air in the compression chamber 31 is rapidly compressed under the squeezing action of the compression piston 32, and the compressed air enters the power channel and pushes the soft projectile in the projectile loading channel to launch the soft projectile.

The soft projectile launcher of the present disclosure further includes an extension tube 34. The extension tube 34 includes an extension channel. One end of the compression chamber 31 opposite to the compression piston 32 is airtightly connected to one end of the extension channel, and the other end of the extension channel is airtightly connected to the power channel. Further, the extension tube 34 extends into the projectile loading channel, the nozzle of the extension channel extends into the projectile loading channel, and the nozzle of the extension channel can be in close contact with the curved surface of the soft projectile in the projectile loading channel. An intake clearance 341 is formed at the edge of the nozzle of the extension channel in the projectile loading channel.

In some embodiments, the compression chamber 31 is airtightly connected to the power channel via the extension tube 34, and the compressed air generated in the compression chamber 31 enters the power channel via the extension tube 34, which is used to provide power for launching the soft projectile. Where, the compression chamber 31 is enclosed by the tube wall 311 to form a cylindrical shape, and is airtight and slidingly fitted with the compression piston 32. In a manufacturing process, the compressed air inside the compression chamber 31 is guided into the power channel by using the extension tube 34 according to the actual situation. Where, the nozzle of the extension channel of the extension tube 34 can directly extend into the projectile loading channel, and the nozzle of the extension channel can be close contact to the curved surface of the soft projectile in the projectile loading channel. Thus, the compressed air directly aiming at the soft projectile to launch the soft projectile along the projectile exit channel, and to achieve a better launch effect.

In some embodiments, the nozzle of the extension channel may not be close contact to the curved surface of the soft projectile in the projectile loading channel, and external air can enter the extension channel by the projectile exit channel and/or the projectile entry channel, and can enter the compression chamber 31.

In some embodiments, external air can enter the extension channel and the compression chamber 31 via a side of the tube wall 311 that is close to the compression piston 32. An air inlet gap (not shown) is provided at the opening of the tube wall 311. When the compression piston 32 moves away from the side of the extension tube 34, external air can enter the compression chamber 31 via the air inlet gap. When the compression piston 32 compresses towards the extension tube 34, the compression piston 32 is airtightly and slidingly fitted with the wall, i.e., the tube wall 311, of the compression chamber 31, to compress the air in the compression chamber 31.

Further, in some embodiments, an intake clearance 341 (as shown in FIG. 4) is provided at the edge of the nozzle of the extension channel. When the compression piston 32 moves away from the side of the extension tube 34 under the action of external power, external air can enter the compression chamber 31 via the intake clearance 341. When the external power is released, the compression piston 32 can rapidly compress the air in the compression chamber 31 under the action of the compression spring 33, and the compressed air can enter the power channel via the extension channel and act on the soft projectile to launch the soft projectile. The external power in above embodiments may be electric power, and may be transmitted via a gear structure to enable the compression piston 32 to move away from the side of the extension tube 34.

In some embodiments, compressed air is used as the power source, and acts on the soft projectile in the projectile loading channel to launch the soft projectile along the projectile exit channel. The soft projectile elastically deforms in the projectile loading channel or the projectile exit channel, especially in the elliptical channel, gets stuck in the channel, and airtightly fits with the wall of the channel. Then the compressed air can effectively act on the soft projectile for a long time to cause the soft projectile to be launched along the projectile exit channel with greater kinetic energy, thereby achieving farther and better launch effect.

In particular, when the projectile loading channel and/or the projectile exit channel is an elliptical channel, the soft projectile can deform elastically in the projectile loading channel or the projectile exit channel, and can be airtightly fitted with the wall of the channel with stronger airtightness, thereby causing the soft projectile launcher to achieve a better launch effect.

In some embodiments, the power assembly 30 may also be a striking mechanism. The striking mechanism directly strikes the soft projectile in the projectile loading channel to launch the soft projectile along the projectile exit channel.

In some embodiments, the soft projectile launcher further includes a projectile loading mechanism 40, and a magazine 50, which are mounted on the housing 60. The projectile loading mechanism 40 includes a refill 41, and a dial 42. The refill 41 and the magazine 50 are enclosed to form a projectile accommodation space 51. The projectile accommodation space 51 is used for storing the soft projectile. The dial 42 of the projectile loading mechanism 40 is used to load the soft projectile in the projectile accommodation space 51 into the projectile entry channel to cause the soft projectile to enter the projectile loading channel via the projectile entry channel.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the magazine 50 is mounted at the upper part of the projectile loading mechanism 40. The refill 41 of the projectile loading mechanism 40 is used as a part of the bottom of the magazine 50, and encloses the magazine 50 as a projectile accommodation space 51. The soft projectiles in the projectile accommodation space 51 are gathered at the refill 41.

The dial 42 is rotatably mounted at the bottom of the refill 41. The dial 42 has at least one projectile moving gap 421 on the side, a projectile inlet 411 is formed at a position at the bottom of the refill 41 corresponding to one of the at least one projectile moving gap 421, and the projectile inlet 411 is connected with the free end of the projectile entry channel. The size of the projectile moving gap 421 is equivalent to the size of the soft projectile. The bottom of the dial 42 extends outward to form a pusher 422. The dial 42 can be rotated by rotating the pusher 422.

Further, the wall surface of the projectile moving gap 421 is inclined, and the inclined wall surface of the projectile moving gap 421 can squeeze the soft projectile into the projectile inlet 411 when the dial 42 rotates.

In some embodiments, the magazine 50 and the projectile loading mechanism 40 are mounted on the housing 60. The soft projectiles are gathered on the refill 41 and pushed into the projectile inlet 411 by the action of the dial 42. Further, when the projectile entry channel is an elliptical channel, the soft projectile cannot easily enter the projectile entry channel. Thus, the wall surface of the projectile moving gap 421 is inclined. The pusher 422 drives the dial 42 to rotate, the inclined wall of the projectile moving gap 421 squeezes the soft projectile downwards, and the soft projectile is squeezed into the projectile entry channel at the projectile inlet 411, to realize the loading of the soft projectile. The dial 42 is rotated to prevent the soft projectiles from gathering and being stuck, which facilitates the smooth entry of the soft projectiles into the projectile entry channel.

Further, in some embodiments, the projectile exit channel includes a first projectile exit channel and a second projectile exit channel, and the first projectile exit channel is airtightly connected with the projectile loading channel. The first projectile exit channel and the second projectile exit channel are airtightly connected via nested tube fitting.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the projectile exit section 13 includes a first projectile exit tube 131 and a second projectile exit tube 132. The inside of the first projectile exit tube 131 is the first projectile exit channel, and the inside of the second projectile exit tube 132 is the second projectile exit channel. The first projectile exit tube 131 is connected to the projectile loading section 12. In some embodiments, the first projectile exit tube 131 and the projectile loading section 12 are formed as an integral part, thereby causing the first projectile exit channel to be airtightly connected with the projectile loading channel. The first projectile exit tube 131 and the second projectile exit tube 132 are nested and airtightly connected. In some embodiments, an airtight gasket is provided between the first projectile exit tube 131 and the second projectile exit tube 132 to achieve an airtight connection effect. In some embodiments, the first projectile exit tube 131 and the second projectile exit tube 132 can be sealed by welding, or integrally formed.

In some embodiments, the projectile exit channel is divided into the first projectile exit channel and the second projectile exit channel, which can extend the moving distance of the soft projectile along the channel. In a manufacturing process, the projectile entry tube 20, the power section 11, the projectile loading section 12, and the first projectile exit tube 131 can be integrally formed. The second projectile exit tube 132 is connected to the free end of the first projectile exit tube 131 to extend the moving distance of the soft projectile along the channel, thereby enhancing the launch effect.

The shape and the size of the first projectile exit channel of the first projectile exit tube 131 and the second projectile exit channel of the second projectile exit tube 132 can have various combinations. For example, the first projectile exit channel can be a round or an elliptical channel, and the second projectile exit channel can be a round or an elliptical channel.

In some embodiments, the first projectile exit channel is an elliptical channel, and the shape and the size of the second projectile exit channel are the same as those of the first projectile exit channel.

In some embodiments, compressed air is used as a power source. When the projectile exit channel is an elliptical channel, and the moving distance of the soft projectile along the elliptical channel is extended, the soft projectile can be airtightly fitted to the wall of the channel due to the elastic deformation of the projectile. The airtightness is strong, and the compressed air then has a longer action time on the soft projectile, that is, the compressed air has a greater impulse on the soft projectile, thereby causing the launched soft projectile to have greater kinetic energy to achieve a longer range and better launch effect.

Further, in some embodiments, to prevent a hard projectile from being normally launched in the soft projectile launcher, at least a part of the projectile entry channel is an elliptical channel together with the projectile loading channel and the projectile exit channel, to prevent the hard projectile from being normally launched. The hard projectile cannot enter the projectile loading channel via the elliptical channel of the projectile entry channel. Further, even if the hard projectile enters the projectile loading channel via the projectile entry channel, when the projectile loading channel or the exit channel is an elliptical channel, or the channel inside the launch tube 10 does not match the hard projectile, the hard projectile cannot be launched normally in the channel.

In the technical solution of the present disclosure, at least a part of the projectile entry channel, the projectile loading channel, and/or the projectile exit channel is configured as an elliptical channel. As such, soft projectiles are ensured to be launched normally, while hard projectiles are prevented from being launched normally.

It is intended that the above embodiments be considered as examples only and not to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other embodiments of the disclosure including any changes, modifications, replacements, combination, and simplification by the above-mentioned embodiments, and any other changes, modifications, substitutions, and combinations without departing from the spirit and principle of the disclosure should be considered as equivalent replacement methods, which are all within the scope of the disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A soft projectile launcher comprising: a launching tube including a power channel, a projectile loading channel, and a projectile exit channel connected in sequence; a projectile entry tube including a projectile entry channel connected to the projectile loading channel and configured to provide a soft projectile to the projectile loading channel; and a power assembly connected to a free end of the power channel and configured to provide power for launching the soft projectile; wherein at least a part of at least one of the projectile entry channel, the projectile loading channel, or the projectile exit channel includes an elliptical channel.
 2. The soft projectile launcher of claim 1, wherein: the power assembly includes a compression chamber and a compression piston; the compression piston is configured to move along an inside of the compression chamber, and airtightly and slidably fitted with an inner wall of the compression chamber; and one end of the compression chamber corresponding to the compression piston is airtightly connected to the power channel.
 3. The soft projectile launcher of claim 2, wherein: the power assembly further includes an extension tube including an extension channel, one end of the extension channel being airtightly connected to the compression chamber, and another end of the extension channel being in airtight connection with the power channel; and a nozzle of the extension channel is configured to closely contact the soft projectile in the projectile loading channel.
 4. The soft projectile launcher of claim 3, wherein an intake clearance is provided at an edge of the nozzle of the extension channel.
 5. The soft projectile launcher of claim 1, further comprising: a projectile loading mechanism including a refill and a dial; wherein: the dial is rotatably mounted at a bottom of the refill; a projectile moving gap is provided at one side of the dial; a projectile inlet is provided at a position at the bottom of the refill that corresponds to the projectile moving gap, the projectile inlet being connected with a free end of the projectile entry channel.
 6. The soft projectile launcher of claim 5, wherein a wall surface of the projectile moving gap is inclined.
 7. The soft projectile launcher of claim 1, wherein the projectile loading channel and the projectile exit channel are arranged coaxially or in a smooth curve.
 8. The soft projectile launcher of claim 7, wherein: the projectile loading channel and the projectile exit channel are arranged coaxially in a straight line; and the projectile entry channel and the projectile loading channel are arranged perpendicular to each other.
 9. The soft projectile launcher of claim 1, wherein the projectile exit channel includes: a first projectile exit channel connected with the projectile loading channel; and a second projectile exit channel airtightly connected to the first projectile exit channel airtightly connected via nested tubes.
 10. The soft projectile launcher of claim 9, wherein: the first projectile exit channel has an elliptical shape; and a shape and a size of the second projectile exit channel are same as a shape and a size of the first projectile exit channel. 